RYUSHIN SHOUCHI RYU
This is the official website of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu (RSR), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. RSR is a school of Kobudo specializing in Iaijutsu and Kenjutsu, and is dedicated to the practice and preservation of the skills that closely resemble the fighting techniques of the samurai. If you are interesting in learning an ancient system direct from the current headmaster, join our organization today.
RYUSHIN SHOUCHI RYU JAPAN
This is the official website of Ryushin Shouchi Ryu (RSR). RSR is a school of kobudo (ancient martial arts) specializing in iaijutsu (the art of drawing and cutting) founded by Kawabata Terutaka and is composed of over 60 kata (prearranged solo forms), and iai kumitachi (two man bokken training). The origins of the Ryushin Shouchi Ryu can be traced to the Tenshinsho Jigen Ryu, a branch tradition of the Tenshin Shōden Katori Shintō-ryū. The current headmaster of the Ryushin Shouchi Ryu is Yahagi Kunikazu.
The philosophy of the Ryushin Shouchi Ryu parallels that of most modern forms of budo, (i.e. kendo, judo, and aikido) and entails cultivating the mind and conditioning the body through rigorous training for the purpose of improving the self rather than killing an enemy. This concept is more commonly known as fudoshin (immovable mind), which refers to a state of psychological and spiritual equanimity. Based on this reasoning, the name Ryushin Shouchi Ryu was selected by the founder, Kawabata Terutaka. Ryushin means “Mind or Heart of the Willow tree,” and invokes the image of a tree which does not lose its leaves even in winter; while Shouchi can be translated as “shining wisdom.” Together, these characters convey the sense of “establishing in the world an unmovable wisdom and everyday mind by means of a strong yet flexible body and spirit.”
This organization is dedicated to the practice and preservation of the skills that closely resemble the fighting techniques of the samurai, which fundamentally derive from conscious breathing and body movements that determine the speed and accuracy of sword movements. Today there are several affiliated dojos around the world (Asia, North America and Europe) that study Ryushin Shouchi Ryu. If you are interested in learning and preserving these techniques please visit our membership page.